Tigers catch a break. Breakthrough in protection for Indonesia’s rainforests

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Feature story - February 5, 2013

Greenpeace hailed today’s commitment from Asia Pulp & Paper (APP), one of the world’s largest producers of paper and packaging, to end deforestation as a major breakthrough in efforts to save Indonesia’s rainforests.

The endangered Sumatran tiger can sleep a little easier thanks to your help. APP felt the pressure and its new “Forest Conservation Policy”, if implemented, could spell the end of its long and controversial history of rainforest destruction.

“We commend APP for making this commitment to end deforestation, but it’s what happens in the forest that counts and we will be monitoring progress closely,” said Shane Moffatt forest campaigner for Greenpeace Canada. “If APP fully implements its new policies it will mark a dramatic change in direction, after years of deforestation in Indonesia, and a sign that change is possible elsewhere,” Moffatt.

After a decade of public pressure and recent negotiations with Greenpeace, APP has published a new “Forest Conservation Policy” which, if implemented, could spell the end of its long and controversial history of rainforest destruction. Indonesia’s rainforests are a vital habitat for endangered species including the Sumatran tiger and home to thousands of forest communities. The pulp and paper sector is identified as a lead driver of deforestation in Indonesia, along with the palm oil sector.

Greenpeace’s campaign to transform Indonesia’s pulp and paper sector has seen ground-breaking investigations and high profile campaigns around the world exposing the global brands who supply from APP. APP is the third largest pulp and paper producer in the world and operates five mills across Canada through its subsidiary Paper Excellence.

Many global brands suspended contracts with APP and introduced policies removing deforestation from their supply chains after a wave of public pressure inspired by Greenpeace. Over 100 companies have taken action, including Adidas, Kraft, Mattel, Nestlé, Staples and Unilever and Canadian based White Paper Co. and investment giant Mackenzie Financial.

APP, part of the Sinar Mas group, is one of just two global pulp and paper producers in Indonesia that has relied on rainforest fibre for its products used by household brands across the world. Greenpeace has written to the CEO of Asia Pacific Resources International (APRIL), Indonesia’s second-largest pulp and paper producer, to ask when APRIL plans to make a similar commitment.